The Florida Trail

The Florida Trail runs 1,400 miles from one side of Florida to the next. The trail crisscrosses mostly public land, but the Federal Government has purchased parts of the trail from private landowners where the trail is comes to an end. Among the purchases is the acquisition of 320 acres purchased in a nearly $2 million deal with the St. Joe Company. This purchase allowed for the continuation of the trail through a small section of Bay County.

The Beginning

The Florida State Trail is the vision of wildlife photographer and real estate broker James Kern. Kern developed the idea after visiting the Appalachian Trail for a backpacking trip. Moved by the Appalachian Trail’s beauty, Kern founded the Florida Trail Association in the 1960s and began recruiting others who shared his dream of a hiking trail that stretches across Florida.

The first trail “blaze” was established in 1966 in the Ocala National Forest. In 1983 Congress designated the trail as a “National Scenic Trail,” one of only eight in the country.

Today, volunteers are responsible for management and upkeep of the trail. Michelle Mitchell, the only federal employee who oversees the project, manages the work of the volunteers, who pick up trash and debris, cut back the underbrush and make sure the trail markers are visible. Annually, volunteers donate between 65,000 to 75,000 hours to maintaining the trail.

Who Uses the Trail?

Officials are not sure who uses the trail exactly. The University of Florida and the U.S. Forest Service are currently working on a 5-year study to determine who visits the trail and how it is used. Twice a year, researchers station electronic monitors at specific segments of the trail and pass out surveys to visitors. Results so far show that between 300,000 – 400,000 people per year use the trail and most are repeat visitors over the age of 40.

Homeowner Concerns

Use to the trial has created some concern from homeowners whose properties run along the route. Some see the trail as an enhancement to their property. Dan Sowell, assistant chief deputy of the Bay County Property Appraiser’s office says proximity to the trail will “…enhance property values…” (source: News Herald, “Investing in Nature,” October 7, 2007). Other homeowners have expressed concerned about keeping the trail clean. Their primary concern is the prevention of the dumping of old appliances, boats and other large items.

The Trail In our Backyard – Investing in Nature

The government purchased 320 acres from the St. Joe Company at a cost $1.8 million in order to complete the trail and continue it eastward. Some say that price is high especially since the purchase of the acres only added one mile to the actual trail. But St. Joe would only agree to sell 320 acres to the government at the fair market value determined by the government. The government has paid more to acquire land and less depending on where the land sits in a handful of acquisitions around the state.

Today in Bay and Washington counties, open parts of the trial run 20-miles along Econfina Creek. The trail also runs through the northeastern corner of Bay county, crosses into Washington county and then dips into the upper West Bay, and finally winding through Pine Log State Forest.

With 1100 miles of “blazes” the trail is not only a great way to hike Florida, but it is also a way to preserve Florida’s natural beauty. Florida’s rapid development means loss of open areas. The trail has become another way to preserve and protect Florida’s natural habitats and preserve land.

For more about the Florida Trail, visit the Florida Trail Association’s website at http://www.floridatrail.org/.

New Additions at Frank Brown Park

There are more opportunities for outdoor recreation now at Frank Brown Park thanks to a $50 million renovation and expansion project completed this spring. The project added new biking and jogging trails and a new $6 million aquatic center to the popular venue. The aquatic center includes a 50-meter, Olympic-size outdoor pool, a splash pool with play features, concessions and classrooms.

Another new feature at Frank Brown Park is the start of construction of a trailhead that will be the beginning of 20-miles of trails that will run across the island of Panama City Beach. Named Gayle's Trails after Mayor Gayle Oberst of Panama City Beach who is a major supporter of the project, the trails will provide a natural preserve in an urban area.

After 3 years of planning by the City of Panama City Beach, construction of the project's first phase began in June near Children's Pond at the rear of Frank Brown Park. When construction is completed, the trail will travel south to the Gulf, run through Aaron Bessant Park, turn east to St. Andrews State Park and then go west to Camp Helen State Park in Walton County or north to Pine Log Forest.

Along the trails, there will be activity areas including designated areas for horseback riding, outdoor classrooms, picnic areas, canoeing and swimming areas in the bay, bird watching spots, swimming in the gulf through Aaron Bessant Park, and Arnold High School related recreation. The nature park will host playgrounds; education opportunities for public school and Gulf Coast Community College Environmental Center projects; picnic areas; and biking, riding and equestrian trails.



Construction of each phase of the trail will be completed as funds become available. State grant funds are being used to pay for the first phase of construction. Many areas that are designed for paving will not be until funds are secured.

The City of Panama City Beach is working with other Panhandle counties to create a Northwest Florida Coastal Trail System. The vision for the trail system is to create a continuous trail that will run through Gulf, Franklin, Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, and Escambia counties. The City of Lynn Haven and Bay County have been involved with discussions and planning and are interested in the creation of the trail system.

For more information about the park and future planning, visit the Frank Brown Park website at http://www.playballinparadise.com/.